CompassData Teams with Juniper Unmanned

Fall 2014

We are pleased to announce a business partnership with Juniper Unmanned, a full-service provider of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) solutions. Juniper was formed to assist clients in navigating the challenging regulatory processes related to compliant UAS operations as well as identifying the proper system for their specific needs. Juniper has been through the process and is now working with clients to obtain FAA Certifications of Authorization (COAs) and Special Airworthiness Certificates. CompassData is working with Juniper on the aerial acquisition and processing side of UAS operations, from helping design UAS programs for public agencies to refining workflows for solution specific applications. “We are excited about our relationship with Juniper Unmanned. The experience they bring to the table allows us to offer our clients an expedited path through the regulatory process.” Hayden Howard, Vice President.

CompassData owns a Trimble UX5 unmanned system that we debuted at the MAPPS Summer Conference in Idaho and is ready to be deployed for approved international mapping projects. Our processing facility will also be made available to Juniper and its clients to generate orthoimagery and other end products from collected UAS data. With a strong background in Natural Resources, Juniper is focused initially on oil & gas, mining and agriculture projects. Juniper is headquartered in Denver.

Our own Philipp Hummel has penned a feature article for the fall issue of Apogeo Spatial magazine on the role accurate and consistent ground control plays in calibrating Earth observation satellite sensors and aerial cameras. Philipp explains why calibration is so important to image quality and goes on to discuss CompassData’s contribution to the calibration process. Among the details discussed is the worldwide network of test sites we have established for satellite operators to use in preparing their satellites for operations after launch and periodically throughout their missions. The test sites include a variety of types of photo-identifiable points suitable for calibrating imaging sensors of different spatial and spectral capabilities. The fall issue of Apogeo Spatial magazine (formerly Imaging Notes) should be in the mail next week. Visit www.apogeospatial.com. You can find a complete list of test sites on this white paper.

Accuracy Validation Demo Yields Stunning Results

The CompassData team participated in a demonstration project with DroneDeploy, a UAS solutions provider, to compare the accuracy of orthoimagery and digital elevation models (DEM) processed with and without ground control points (GCPs). DroneDeploy captured the data using a fixed-wing UAS over Bedwell Bayfront Park in San Francisco. The accuracies of the resulting orthos and DEMs were then calculated using independent GCPs and our CompassV&V software products.

The ‘V&V’ in CompassV&V stands for Verification and Validation which refers to the capabilities of the Accuracy Analyst and Topo Analyst software tools CompassData purchased from Spatial Information Solutions earlier this year. Under our CompassV&V line, we rebranded these tools as CompassAA and CompassTA. These software tools are content enhancement solutions that automate map accuracy verification and eliminate manual processing, ensuring consistent quality control of geospatial products with generated reports. CompassAA offers a complete workflow to verify the accuracy of orthorectified imagery. CompassTA performs similar accuracy tests on elevation products, including LiDAR point clouds.

So what were the results in Bedwell Bayfront Park? CompassAA measured the horizontal accuracy of the orthoimages generated without ground control at 6.3 meters Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), while the orthos with GCPs were much more accurate at 9.4 centimeters RMSE. Using CompassTA, we found the DEMs created without GCPs had a vertical accuracy of 4.7 meters RMSE. Those elevation data sets processed with CompassData GCPs, had a vertical accuracy of 0.6 meters RMSE. Click the links below to view the CompassAA and CompassTA verification reports.

Ground Control Points:

31,026 and counting

Meet Brant and Philipp at InterGEO in Berlin

CompassData CEO and Founder Brant Howard along with Philipp Hummel, Technical Director, will be attending the InterGEO Conference in Berlin, Germany next week. If you would like to set up a meeting at the show with Brant or Philipp, please email them at:

The InterGEO Conference and Trade Fair runs October 7-9 at the Messe Berlin event venue.

Get Orthorectified WorldView-3 Products from Us

The first images from the very-high-resolution WorldView-3 satellite have been published by DigitalGlobe, and they look fantastic. Do not forget –CompassData is a re-seller of DigitalGlobe products and services. With our internal processing capabilities and GCP archive, we can create and deliver custom imagery products from both the current and future satellites operated by DigitalGlobe. Keep us in mind for your next high-resolution imagery purchase.

Congratulations to Philipp Hummel, CP

Philipp Hummel has not just been busy writing magazine articles, he has also been adding more initials after his name. Philipp is now a Certified Photogrammetrist, an official designation bestowed by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) after a rigorous testing process. Philip, who holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Karlsrühe in Germany, is also a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) and Certified Federal Surveyor (CFedS). Congratulate Philipp at:

Example GCPs from the DroneDeploy accuracy validation project

CompassData Sensor Calibration Featured in Apogeo Magazine

Our own Philipp Hummel has penned a feature article for the fall issue of Apogeo Spatial magazine on the role accurate and consistent ground control plays in calibrating Earth observation satellite sensors and aerial cameras. Philipp explains why calibration is so important to image quality and goes on to discuss CompassData’s contribution to the calibration process. Among the details discussed is the worldwide network of test sites we have established for satellite operators to use in preparing their satellites for operations after launch and periodically throughout their missions. The test sites include a variety of types of photo-identifiable points suitable for calibrating imaging sensors of different spatial and spectral capabilities. The fall issue of Apogeo Spatial magazine (formerly Imaging Notes) should be in the mail next week. Visit www.apogeospatial.com. You can find a complete list of test sites on this white paper.

We Are Control Freaks®!

Complete Global Coverage: Our Mission Is To Map The World

Control Freaks are now offering imagery collection services, where allowed, with our new UX5 Unmanned Aerial System. Read about the benefits of UAS technology in this white paper.

Control Freaks make sure that Utility Mapping projects are done on time, in budget and completely. CompassData has provided more than 300 miles of pipeline mapping for Summit Utilities. Read about one of our Utility Mapping projects in this Case Study.